[Dysphagia] VitalStim conference

[eripley at yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

Organizations such as the Rand are independent as they have no vested interest in the outcome. Similar organization is the ECRI that did the review on dysphagia treatment in stroke is one such.
  
 
  ECRI (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute) is a nonprofit health services research agency and a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is designated as an Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. ECRI's mission is to improve the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. It is widely recognized as one of the world's leading independent organizations committed to advancing the quality of healthcare. 
   
  I do a great deal of consulting and expert witness work for which I am, thankfully, paid.  I have to emphasise that my opinions are independent since it is of no personal interest whether the organization/court accepts it or not.
  Our Mission  ECRI's mission is to promote the highest standards of safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness in healthcare to benefit patient care through research, publishing, education and consulting.
   
  
HAL9600@aol.com wrote:
      I have no interest in VitalStim.  I was simply questioning what acceptable path a company, any company, could take to get scientific validation of its product without paying for it.  Regarding Rand, how "independent" can be if it is being hired?
   
  Gerry Brooks
Brain Injury Program Director
Northeast Center for Special Care
Lake Katrine, NY 12449
www.northeastcenter.com



Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
Exclusive Distributor:
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